Timing apparatus



Aug. 12, 1947.

T. B GIBBS 2,425,613

' TIMING APPARATUS Filed June 28 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l fkEOl/ENCY Mun-muse G'EM ' Plan/E2 fiMPL lF/EE Thomas E 6 1625;?

Aug. 12, 1947. 'r. a. GIBBS TIMING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 28, 1941 INVENTOR. T/wmczs .5 Gbbs BY I.

Aug. 12, 1947. T. B. GIBBS TIIING APPARATUS Filed June '28, 194].

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 39.0 0% dun aktnktkh k INVEPJTOR.

ZVwm/as- B @0668 Patented Aug. 12, 1947 TIMING APPARATUS Thomas B. Gibbs, Delavan, Wis., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to George W.

ration, Chicago,

Borg Corpo- Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 28, 1941, Serial No. 400,342

23 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to timing apparatus, and provides facilities which 7 may be used for the purpose of comparing the frequencies of the outputs of any two sources of periodic electrical phenomena such as alternating current, or for comparing the output frequency of any such source with the output frequency of a standard frequency generator. In particular, the invention provides a new and improved apparatus adapted for timing watches, or similar mechanisms having periodically vibrating or oscillating parts which canbe caused to produce trains of periodic impulses or alternating currents of corresponding frequency.

A feature of the invention is a timing apparatus which utilizes a differential mechanism for integrating two frequencies, one of which is taken in a negative sense, and for producing a rotary motion the speed of which is proportionate to the difference between said frequencies.

Another feature is an electrical differential which dispenses with the gears which are necessary in a mechanical difierent'ial.

Another feature is a timing apparatus which produces a graphic record showing the cumulative error in a given period of time.

Another feature is a timing apparatus which is adapted to perform automatically 2, large number of successive timing operations and make a graphic record of the results.

Another feature of the invention is a timing apparatus employing an indicating device which by means of a differential is subjected to the control of currents of two different frequencies, one of which may be a standard frequency, and which by the extent of its movement during a predetermined time interval indicates the difference between said frequencies.

Another feature of the invention is an arrangement for utilizing periodic impulses of a variable low frequency such as may be produced by the beating of a watch to produce correspondingly varying impulses or alternating currents of higher frequency suitable for amplification for runninga motor.

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be described in detail'hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a complete timing apparatus, as used for timing watches;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the recording drum shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a modification of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, which is adapted to perform successive timing operations automatically;

Fig. 4 shows a. further modification, employing an electrical differential and a mechanical indicating device;

Fig. 5 shows a suitable winding arrangement for use in the electrical differential; and

Fig. 6 shows a suitable arrangement of the rotor and stator poles of the electrical differential.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the graphic recorder which is here shown includes a drum or cylinder 6 which is provided with heads 4 and 5 by means of which the drum is supported on the shaft 1. This shaft is rotatable and has bearings 'in the frame members 2 and 3.

For the purpose of rotating the drum 6 ,a motor MI is provided, which may be a two-phase synchronous motor. By means of a worm 25 and gear 24 the motor Mi drives the shaft 22, and

shaft 22 drives shaft 20 by means of gears 23 and 2|. A clutch M enables the shaft 20 to be coupled to the shaft 1 on which drum 6 is mounted.

The drum 6 carries a sheet of record material, which may be a ruled sheet of paper ii i, as shown in the drawing. The sheet M is wrapped tightly around the drum 6 and is secured in any suitable manner. Several arrangements for securing a sheet of record material to a drum are well known, and. accordingly it is not considered necessary to show any specific arrangement for this purpose. The overlapping ends of the sheet may in fact be secured together by an adhesive, in which case the sheet may be removed from the drum by cutting it along a line parallel to the axis of the drum.

The record material is marked by a pen or stylus 8, which may be of any suitable and well known type. The stylus 8 is secured in a holder 9 which is pivotally mounted on the carrier ill. The carrier ID is slidable along a rod l3 supported on the frame members 2 and 3, and is moved to the right or left by means of a threaded shaft i 2 which is rotatable and has bearings in frame members 2' and 3. A crank I I enables the shaft l2 to be rotated by hand in order to properly position the stylus '8 at the beginning of a timing operation.

In the operation of the timing apparatus the threaded shaft l 2 is driven from the output shaft 29 of the differential mechanism. As indicated in the drawing, the shaft 29 drives the shaft 26 by means of beveled gears 21 and 28, while shaft 25 drives shaft l2 by means of a clutch iii.

For the purpose of controlling the clutches I4 and IS a double forked member i6 is provided, together with a magnet l8 and an armature I! for said magnet which is pivoted at 41 at one end and is connected at the other end to the I forked member l6. When the magnet I8 is eneraacaoxa claret its armature 1T nttli member H3 is moved to t driving faces of the clutches t i. tin

The circuit of magnet :8 includes a switch S3,

:1. battery 8, representin any suitabl source of current, and the movable switch contacts 43, M, and 45. The contacts 43 and 44 are actuated by the carrier ID in its extreme left and right hand positions, respectively, and contact 45 is actuated by a cam 46 on the drum head 5. This cam is 10 shown in Fig. 2.

The differential mechanism includes two motors M2 and M3, which may be two-phase syn chronous motors and rotate in opposite directions. The beveled gears 34 and 35 are mounted on the motor shafts 32 and 33. respectively, and are in engagement with a beveled gear 36 which is rotatably mounted in frame members secured to the gear 3|, The latter gear is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner as, for example, 2 on th shaft 32. as shown. Gear 3i drives the output shaft 29 by means of the beveled pinion 30. It will be seen that when the motors M2 and M3 run at equal speeds no rotation of gear 3| will take place, but if the motors M2 and M3 run at different speeds then gear 3| will be rotated at a speed proportionate to the difference between the motor speeds and in a direction which depends on which motor runs the faster.

Power for driving the motor M2 is supplied 30 from a standard frequency generator, represented by the rectangle 40. This generator may be of any suitable and known type, a generator using a crystal oscillator as the constant frequency element being preferable, however. The standard frequency generator may also supply the power for runningthe motor MI.

The motor M3 is driven from the device which is to be timed. If this device is an alternating current generator the frequency of which is sup posed to be the same as the standard frequency, such'generator may be connected directly to the motor M3. Usually, however, the device to be timed will require the interposition of additional apparatus in order to produc suitable alternating current for operating the motor. In the case of a watch the currents or impulses generated by the beating of the watch are of low frequency,

.five cycles per second, for example, and have to be converted into alternating current of a higher r frequency. The conversion apparatus must not only be capable of multiplying the frequency, but must be able to operate over a range of input frequencies which is wide enough to include the beat frequencies of watches'in various conditions of improper regulation such as are met with in practice.

For the foregoing purpose the frequency multiplier shown in the lower portion of Fig. 1 has been designed. This equipment will be briefiy described.

The reference character-5D indicates a microphone which is used for picking up the :beats of the watch being tested. A suitable microphone for this purpose is shown in Patent No. 2,175,021, granted October 3, 1939.

The space discharge device indicated at 5| may be a type 6F6G pentode and is connected as shown inthe drawing. This tube functions to amplify the output of the microphone 50.

The device 52 may be another type 6F6G pentode and has its control grid coupled to the plate circuit of tube 51 by means of a transformer 50. The tube '52 functions mainly as a noise elimi- 76 sat-o1 or voltage regulator, will be explained presently.

The device 53 ma be a type 6H6 full wave re"- tii'ler tube, and is connected in a circuit which ineludes the filter or tuned circuit 62 and the secondary windings of the transformer ii. The transformer 6| couples the plate circuit of tube 52 to the rectifier circuit.

The reference character 54 indicates an amplifier tube, which may be a type 6F8G triode. The control grid of tube 54 is coupled to the circuit of the rectifier tube 53 through a resistor 64. The plate circuit of tube 54 is coupled by means of transformer 55 to another rectifier circuit which includes the rectifier tube 55, similar to tube 53, and the tuned circuit 66. The tube '55 and associated circuits function as a frequency doubler, as will be explained.

Additional frequency doubling stages are provided. the number depending on the desired output frequency. In the present case it is assumed that the output frequency is cycles per second, which requires four frequency doubling stages. One stage has been described, two additional stages are represented by the rectangle 61, and a final stage is shown to the left of the rectangle. This final stage includes the rectifier tube 51 and the amplifier tube 55, The several frequency doubling stages are alike except for the tuned circuits such as 66 and 68, which are tuned to different frequencies. Circuit 66 is tuned to 10 cycles per second, and the circuits at the intervening stages are tuned to 20 and 40 cycles per second, respectively. The tuned circuit 62 may be tuned to 5 cycles per second,

The inductive element of the tuned circuit 68 is the primary winding of a transformer 69, by means of which the final frequency doubling stage is coupled to a push-pull power amplifier comprising the tubes 58 and 59. The secondary winding of the output transformer 10 may be connected to the motor M3 by means of switch S2, which is also used for connecting the standard frequency generator to the motor M2.

The operation of the circuits and apparatus shown in Fig. 1 will now be explained. For this purpose it may be assumed that a watch to be tested is clamped to the microphone 50. In response to the beating of the watch, trains of impulses are generated by the microphone 50 and are impressed on the grid of the amplifier tube 5|, where they are amplified in known manner. The plate circuit of tube 5| is coupled to the grid of tube 52 by means of the transformer 60, and trains of alternating voltages are accordingly impressed on the control grid of tube 52.

The nature of the watch beat impulses produced by the microphone 50 may be explained a little more in detail. These impulses are generated by the mechanical shocks transmitted to the microphone by the beating watch, which appear to set up trains of vibrations affecting the microphone. At any rate, each separate beat of the watch produces a train of a dozen or more impulses, and the microphone output therefore is a succession of spaced impulse trains having a frequency which is the same as the watch beat frequency. If a flvebeat watch is being tested, the impulse train frequency is five trains per second.

The microphone 50 is also affected by room noises and accidental shocks, which produce stray impulses of various frequencies and magnitudes. The function of the tube 52 is to eliminate or minimize the effect of these stray impulses so that they cannot interfere with the proper'operation of the equipment. For the purpose of eliminating the-effects of minor noises, which produce impulses of lesser amplitude'than those produced by the beating of the watch, the control grid of tube 52 is biased negatively to a point below cutoil, so that the tube normally passes no current. The negative bias is obtained by means of two resistances, connected between ground and the plus B lead, and a connection to the cathode from the junction of these resistances. This circuit arrangement maintains the cathode at a positive potential with respect to ground and since the control grid is normally at ground potential, its potential is negative with respect to that of the cathode. The adjustment of the" parts is such that the trains of alternating voltagesiproduced by the beating of a watch and impressed on the control grid of tube-52 ..cause the tube to pass.

current on the positive half-waves,- whereas stray voltages of somewhat less amplitude are unable to overcome the negative bias on the conv trol grid and produce no effect. The occasionalstray impulse which may be produced by an accidental shock may be of large amplitude but is reduced to the same amplitude as the watchbeat impulses by means of a rather high resistance 63 in the grid circuit. When the grid swings positive in response to watch beat impulses or stray impulses, cathode grid current starts to fiow,but

the current flow is limited to a very low value by the high resistance 63 and hence the grid cannot become more than very slightly positive with respect to the cathode and the plate current limited correspondingly.

derstood, in view of the foregoin that impulse,

trains having a frequency of five trains'per-second' .3 Continuing with the explanation, it will be un;

are set up in the plate circuitof tubefl'."

The impulses of eachtrain induce alternating voltages in the secondary winding of transformer 8|, which cause intermittent unidirectional cur-- rent impulses to flow in the rectifier circuit.

These impulses are many times higher in freqflency than the watch beat frequency of five beats per second. The tuned circuit 82 is tuned to 5 cycles per second, and cannot oscillate at the higher impulse frequency, with the result that the condenser charges up while a train of impulses is flowing in the rectifier circuit and discharges during the interval between this train" and the next. Thus each impulse train is converted into an alternating voltage cycle of fair wave shape, producing a five-cycle alternating voltage which is appliedto the grid of tube 54.

The resulting 5-cycle impulses which are produced in the plate circuit of tube 54 induce 5- filter circuit 66 is tuned to 10 cycles per 'sec- 0nd and converts each impulse into an alternatnoises which affect the microphone have been eliminated at the tube ",and at this same tube stray voltages due to accidental shocks have been reduced in amplitude to the same amplitude as that of the impulses due to beating of the watch. Such stray voltages, if'any, afiect the wave form of the alternating current to a degree, but their influence is progressively'reduced by the action of the tunedcircuits 62,", and similar tuned circuit-in the other frequency doubling stages. The final output, therefore, has a satisfactory wave form in spite of any ordinary hazards to which the microphone may be subjected in practice.

At the next two frequency doubling stages,

represented bythe rectangle 61, the l0-c'ycle alternating voltages impressed on conductor 'H are converted to lid-"cycle alternating voltages which are impressed onconductor 12,'each stage operating toldouble the frequency-of its input voltage. The frequency is doubiedagain at the I laststage comprising tubes 56 and 51, with the 1 result that Bil-cycle alternating voltages are applied to the grids of the power amplifier tubes 58 and I9 by'means'of the transformer 89. The amplifier output frequency is therefore 8Q cycles 'per'second.

Theolltput frequency'is exactly 80 cycles per second only'if the r'a'te'of the watch being tested is correct it is; beating at exactly five beats per second. if the, watch is slow, the output frequency'i -less-thanf80'cycles per second, while if the watch isfast the output frequency will be higher than!!!) cycles per :second. In other words, the 'outputgfre'quency varies.with the rate of the watch -bcingg'tes'ted; and is exactly 16 times the beat frequency. "The variations in beat frequ ncy which are'met with in practice are rela- *tively small, when considered in terms of variations in 'outputfrequency in' cycles per second,

and the tuning of the tuned circuits such as 66 is broad enough so that the arrangement operates satisfactorily with watches in various conditions of faulty regulation. The use of the tuned circuits, however, has a tendency to produce variations in the output voltage, depending on the rate of the watch being tested, the voltage tends ing to be the higher the more nearly the rate of the'watch being tested approximates the correct rate of exactly five beats per second. To

' counteract this tendency, each tube such as 54 is provided with a high resistance (on the order of 5 megohms) in its grid circuit in order to limit theextent to which the potential on the grid ing voltage cycle which is applied over conductor I I to the grid of the triode in the next frequency doubling stage. v

Summing up the operations so far, it will be,

lo-cycle' alternating current. Voltages due to may rise in a positive direction and thereby limit the amplitude of the plate current variations. These tubes therefore function as voltage regulators and insurea substantially constant output voltage. I

From the fact that the watch beat impulses are converted into alternating current having a frequency of cycles per second, or thereabouts, depending on the accuracy of the watch being tested, it will be understoodthat the output frequency of the standard frequency generator '40 is likewise 80 cyclespersecond, assuming, of

, course, that motor M2 is the same at motor M3.

A different frequency could be used, 40 cycles per second, for example, but this would require the use of speed changing gears or a different motor; and the preferred arrangement will usually be to employ a standard frequency which is the same as, the frequency of the alternating current derived from the watch,

is correctly regulated.

assuming'that the watch The operator may now close the switch SI. thereby starting the motor MI. The gear ratio between the motor shaft and the shaft 20 will depend on circumstances, but in the present case it will be assumed that the gear ratio is such that when the clutch Ills engaged the drum 6 is rotated at a speed which will cause thirty horizontal lines on sheet 4| to pass the stylus 8 per minute. Thirty lines occupy a space of 2'10 degrees and therefore the speed of the drum is 270 degrees per minute, or R. P. M.

At this time the operator should also note the position of the drum and the stylus and make any adjustments that are required to set the stylus to zero on the ruled sheet of record material. For this purpose the drum 6 may be freely rotated to any desired extent, since clutch II is not engaged, while the stylus may be moved to the right or left by turning the crank II. The stylus is preferably lifted from the sheet 4| while the adjustments arebeing made.

In connection with the adjustment of the drum it may be pointed out that the sheet 4| is applied to the drum in such a manner that the zero horizontal line is in a predetermined an ular position with respect to the cam 46, which functions to stop the timing operations. For the purpose of properly locating the sheet when it is placed on the drum, two marks I5 and I6 are provided on the drum head 5. The mark I6 is directly opposite the cam 46, as can be seen from Fig. 2. It will be appreciated, therefore, that if the sheet 4| is applied to the drum with the zero line opposite the mark I6, or somewhere between this mark and mark I5, the adjustment of the drum which brings the zero line beneath the stylus will automatically position the cam 46 so that the drum must rotate at least 270 degrees (equal to thirty horizontal lines) before the cam 46 engages the contact spring 45. The engagement of this spring by the cam stops the timing operation. as will be explained shortly.

Having adjusted the drum and stylus to the position shown in the drawing, the operator may now close the switch S2, thereby supplying alternating current from the standard frequency generator 46 to the motor M2 and supplying alternatin current derived from the watch under test to the motor M3. The two motors accordingly start to run and very shortly attain synchronous speeds which are dependent upon the frequencies of the alternating currents with which they are supplied. .If the frequencies are the same, the motors will run at the same speed and shaft 29 will not rotate, but if the frequencies are different shaft 29 will be rotated in one direction or the other, depending o hi h i quency is the higher.

The operator may now close the switch S3, thereby closing the circuit of magnet II. Upon energizing, magnet I8 attracts its armature I1 and causes the clutches I4 and I5 to engage, which starts the rotation of the drum 6. If the shaft 29 is rotating, the threaded shaft I2 also starts to rotate, whereby the stylus 8 is caused to move to the right or left. The stylus accordingly draws a line on the sheet 4|, which will coincide with the zero vertical line on the sheet, or which will depart from such line at a rate dependent on the rotational speeds of shafts 29 and I2 and the rate of movement of the stylus.

If the watch being tested is very poorly regulated, the shaft I! may rotate so fast that the carrier I0 is brought into engagement with contact 43 or contact 44 before the expiration of one 8 minute,withthersultthatthecircuitofmll flli llisbrokemwhichmtmnaflallythe clutches llandliandstollltheoperntion. This relievestheoperatoroftheneeesdtyotopenlng theswitchsllhichhemightfailtodointime, andpreventsanyotdamezetotheapparatuelmderthae Tliewatchbdngtestedwlllordinarilyherunningaocmntebmoughaotlnttheflmingintervalofonemmutewillexpirebeforethecarrlerll reachestbeextrmityofitsmovementineither direction. In the ordinary case, therefore, the tlmingoperatlmwmhemp byfllem ment ofcam4lwltheuntactsprlngfl,which opensthedrcuitofmagnetllandpermitsthe clutches l4 and [61:0

'lhelinewhichisdrawnonthereoordsheetll bythestyluslconstitutesagraphicreom'dotthe performanoeofthewatchbeingtesmwhichindicateswhetherthewatehisfastorslowandalao enables the error, if any,tobereadily calculated insecondsperday.

Ifthewatehisslomtbemotormwillrlm fasterduringihetestperlodthanthemotorm, andthegearllwillberotatedinsuchadirectlon thatthecarrlerllandstyluslaremovedtothe left, the stylus drawing a line on the record sheet suchastlmlinell. Itthewatchisfmthe motorlliwillrlmthefastenandgearllwmbe rotatedintheoppositedirectimwherebythe carrier ll andstylnslaremovedtotherlght.

'Inthiscasethelinedrawnbythestylustrendsto theright. Ittherateofthewatchiscorrectthe.

motorsmandlllnmatthesamesmthe gearfldoesnotrotueandthelmedrawnby thestylusisparalleltotheverflcallinesonthe recordsheet.

Intheoaaeofalinewhichtrendstotherlght orleftindicatingthatthewatchisfastorslo'. thesizeoftheanglewhichthelinemakeswith thevertieallinesonthereeoudsheetlsameamn'e oftheerrorintherateotthewatch. Thehorizontal and vertical lines whichare n'lntedmthe sheetenabletheanglmortheammmtoferror, tobereadilyinterpretedinsecondsperday. The mannerinwhichthisisdonewillbe briefly.

Itmaybetlntinthetimin apparatusbeingdescribedthemotm'smandmare4- polemotors. A.sineethemotorsrun on-eyclealtematingcunmtthelrspeedis40 R.P.S.,or2400R.P.ll. RoIifonemotor-gnlns ontheothermotorntthenteofllLPJLthe indicatederrorislblmperminuteorw secondsperday. Undertheseeonditionsthedifferential gear 3| rotatesatlRP. 1L, and accordinglyoneotthegearllpermmutecorrespomktoanerrorofwsecondsperday. Nowitmaybeassumedthatttmgearntionin the oouplingbetwemgearllandshaftlliso tOLandthatthepitchoIthethIeadsmshai'tII issuchthatforeuchrotaflonoftheahaftthe styluslwillbemovedforadistanceofflvevertical lines. A. the stylus moves atthe rate of thirtyverticallinesfm'eachrevolution of the diiferentlalgelrll. One revolutionofthe gear per minute indicates an error of 36 seconds perdamandhenoeammementofthestylusat therateoithirtyverticallinesperminutealao indicatesanu'rm-ofllfiperdny. The speedofthedrmmaspreviouslymmtionedistifl horizontal linesperminute. Hence areooldline whichmakaanangleoffidegreeswiththeverticallinesontherecardsheet(alinewhich crosses 30 vertical lines am! 30 horizontal lines) 9 indicates an error of 36 seconds per day. From the foregoing an equation for calculating the error indicated by any line may be derived in the form in which E represents the error in seconds per day, V the number of vertical lines crossed by the record line, and H the number of horizontal lines crossed by the record line.

Applying the above equation to typical record lines, it will be seen that a line which crosses ten vertical lines and thirty horizontal lines indicates an error of 12 seconds Der day. a line which crosses one vertical line in thirty horizontal lines indicates an error of 1.2 seconds per day. while a line which crosses fifteen vertical lines in ten horizontal lines indicates an error of 54 seconds D d!!- It will be understood that the constant I8 is M2 and MI by opening the switch S2. Switch S3 is also opened. Assuming that a line such as 80 has been drawn by the stylus, the operator is advised'that the watch under test is slow and can readily determine the amount of the error in the manner explained. The watch may now be removed from the microphone and adjusted for a faster rate, after which it may be replaced and the timing operation may be repeated. Before the switches 82 and 83 are closed to start the second test the stylus is, of course, set tozero again in the manner previously described. The record line drawn in the second timing operation may show that further adjustment is required, and the adjustment and timing is continued until the watch is properly regulated.

It may be pointed out that a single sheet of record material may be used for a considerable number of timing operations when regulating watches as described in the foregoing. The record lines will rarely coincide, and it will also be clear that the stylus does not have to be set at zero each time. Various other starting points, such as 5 vertical 0 horizontal, for example, may be selected, and the record sheet may be fairly well covered with record lines before it has to be removed and replaced with another sheet.

Reference will now be made to Fig. 3. and the modification there-shown will be described.

This modification may have various uses, but as disclosedherein it isespecially designed for performing repeated timing operations on a watch over an extended period, such as 24 hours. for

example. It is not usually nec'essaryor desirable to do this, but watches are occasionally met with which do not keep good time although they appear to be properly regulated when tested. such poor time-keeping quality may be due to various causes, for example, to an exceptional variation in rate depending on the tension in the main'- spring,,which would cause the rate to-be greatly the threaded shaft 2.

such that the cam' I52 within the housing I24.: The

10 I tested once or twice for regulating purposes, but

will show up on a continuous test over a period of 24 hours.

The apparatus employed is generally similar to.

that shown in Fig. 1. The drum, III is provided with heads I and I I! by means of which it is supported on the shaft I01, the latter being'rotatable in hearings in the frame members I02 and 'A record sheet I is carried on the drum Thev drum I 06 is, rotated by means of a, motor M3I, which'may. be anysuita'bl'e type of small alternating current motor.

7 The motor shaft is connected to shaft IIi'I through gears I28 and III and by suitable reducing sears which are enclosed that the drum makes one complete rotation every 24 hours.

The stylus I08, holder I09, and carrier be the same as the corresponding parts The carrier is slidable I I0 may in Fi 1. on rod Ill, by means of The shaft II! is driven by a differential mechanism which includes the two motors M32 and M33, operating on current from a standard frequency generator and on current generated by the test watch, respectively. This portion of the equipment also may be the same as shown in Fig. 1.

The clutch I I5, by means of which the threaded shaft H2 is connected tothe differential mechanism, is operated by a magnet H8 and armature III. The magnet circuit includes a switch S8 and a pair of contacts I50 and III. The contact IE0 is controlled by a cam. I52, which is mounted on shaft I53 and is driven by a motor Mil through the medium of a setof reduction gears contained in the housing I. The gear ratio is rotates slowly at the desired test frequency. A speed. of 1 R. P. M. is suitable for the purpose.

The shaft II2 extends to the right beyond the frame member Illtwhere two helical springs Ill and I4! are provided; These springs may be similar toclock springs. The inside ends of .both

. and are normally under springs are secured to the extension of shaft II2, and the outside ends are secured to the bracket I. The springs are woimd in opposite directions tension, the adjustment being such that the rotative forces exerted by the springs balance each other when the carrier III is a in the position in which it is shown in the drawing. The springs function to restore the carrier I III and stylus I08 to normal position.

At the end ofthe extension of shaft II: th re. is mounted a disk I43, which has a V-shapednotch in its periphery. 'Associated with this disk affected by irregular winding. Again, the rate 1 may be subject to periodic slowdown, due to an imperfect tooth in one of the gears of the gear train, or to particles of dirt in'the gears. Such defects are not readily perceived when a watch is there is a rod I which isvertically slidable in the bracket I" 'and which carries a wedgeshaped head I. Th'erod I is pressed downwardly by the spring I", and the wedge shaped head I is therefore maintained in engagement with the periphery of disk I43, entering the notch in said disk when it reaches, approximately the angular position in which it is shown in-the drawing. The disk I43. and associated parts constitute a centering device which insures that the sear ratio is such.

motors accordingly start to run and the gear lil of the differential is rotated or not, depending on whether or not the motors run at diflerent speeds. This equipment is the same as the corresponding equipment in Fig. 1, and hence its operation need not be again considered in detail.

The switch 88 may now be closed. If the cam II! is in the position in which it is shown in the drawing, the circuit of magnet ill will not be closed, but as soon as the cam disengages the contact spring I 50 the spring engages contact spring lil and the magnet circuit is completed. Upon energizing, magnet H8 attracts its armature Ill, thereby engaging clutch 5, whereby the differential mechanism is coupled to the threaded shaft H2. The apparatus is now in operation.

Assuming that the watch being tested is somewhat fast or slow, the output shaft I29 of the differential mechanism is rotated at a proportional speed and drives the threaded shaft ll! through the medium of gears I28 and III and clutch H5. The stylus I08 is accordingly moved to the right or left, drawing a line on the record sheet Ill. Since the drum I06 is rotating at a very slow speed, the line is substantially parallel to the axis of the drum. The length of the line is an indication of the amount of the error in the rate of the watch.

At the expiration of one minute the cam I52 engages the contact spring I50 and breaks the circuit of magnet H8. whereupon the magnet deenergizes and releases clutch H5. The shaft 2 now restores under the influence of one of the springs Ill or I42, returning the carrier Ill and the stylus Iii to their original position. In this connection it will be understood that during the timing period, when shaft H2 is rotated by the differential mechanism, one of the springs I and I42 will be wound up further while the other spring will be unwound, thereby increasing the tension in one spring and decreasing the tension in the other. When the clutch is released. therefore, the spring having the greatest tension will restore the shaft 2, as stated. As the stylus Iii reaches approximately its normal position, the wedge-shaped head on the rod I enters the notch in disk Mi, which prevents any oscillation that might otherwise occur and exactly positions the stylus at the proper starting point for the next test.

The cam I52 holds the circuit of magnet lli open for several seconds, which is ample time for the restoration of the stylus. The circuit of magnet H i is then closed again, the diflerential mechanism is again coupled to the shaft H2, and the timing operation is repeated. The equipment continues to operate in this manner as long as the switches remain closed. Preferably the timing is permitted to go on for 24 hours, or until the drum I06 has made a complete rotation, which results in a complete record of the performance of the watch during one winding period.

The drawing, Fig. 3, shows the drum litin the position which it assumes after having made arateanddistinctalargerdrumcan partofarotatlon. Itwillbeobservedthattbe linestracedhythestylusareveryelosetogether. The stylus makes two linesperininute, one drawn slowlyduringthetimingperlodandtheother drawnontheretumora'totalofmiinesm whichtheytraverse. tory for most purposes, for coveredareaisthesigniflcantpartoftherecord. Incaseltisdesiredtohavetherecordlinessepbe crthecam liieanbearrangedsoasto out thetiming periods. Phrexample, two-thirds ofthecamsurfacemay'beraisedandtheremainintheratemaybeattrlbutedtothelomoftensioninthemainspringasthewatchrunsdown. At ii! the record hidicates an abrupt andrather large decrease in the rate, which is repeated at Iii. Itmaybeassumed that theseperiodical changesinrateareduetosomemechanical defect such as mentioned hereinbefore.

Referencemaynowhemadetol'lg4forthe purposeoidesm'ihingthemodifledformoftiming apparatusthereshown.

The electrical diflerential which is employed insteadofthemechaniealdifferenflalusedinthe othermodiflcationswiiiflmtbe described. The electricaldiiferenflaihindiatedatlllinm 4,whichalsoshmthecircuitconnectionsand aswitchsibymeansoiwhichthealternating currentsofstandardfrequencyandtcstwatch frequencyaresumliedtothewindimsofthe differential 'lheelectrlmldiifaentialincludesastatorand arotor,theconstructimofwhlchisdiagnmmaticaflyillnstratedmm.8. Ashereshown. thestatoriilhsseightpolessuehasillthe faeaofwhichareparalleltotheshaftiil. The statormaytherefm'ebesimilartothestatorof aknowntypeoftwo-phasesynchrononsmotor. 'l'herotnriiialsohaseightpolessuchasill, andwhilethepolefacesmaybeparalleltothe shaftflseyareprefenhlymadetoextendspirally oftheshamtheangulardimlaeanentfromone endofeachpoletotheothermdbelngapprmb mah yeqwlltothespaclnghetweenpoles. This constructionprountesauniformandcmflmions moyementoftherotorwhenthedevlceisin operation. 'l'heshaft2li,onwhiehthemtork mountemlspruvidedwith suitablebearingsin endplatessecuredtothestatnnaslscustomary inmotorcomhwtlon.

Thestatorwindingisshowndiagrammatlcally him5,wherethereferencecharactersllland illindicatetheeondnctorsofthetwophaes. respectively, while thereference character 2|! indicatesthe'cmnmonretumconductor. Itwlll' beseenthatthewindingfortheflmtphasels essentially a fourpole winding. since each cell W W P y p l s of the eight-pole stator. Thesecondphasewindingisalsoafourpolewindmgandoverlapstheflrstphasewinding byone-halfelectricalpole.oronephysicalpole.

The rotorwindingisthe same asthestator provided for connecting the external supply conductors to the rotor winding. as indicated in Fig. 4.

The stator and rotor windings are so connected that the stator and rotor fields both rotate in the same direction. It may be assumed that the direction is clockwise, as the differential is seen in Fig. 6, or from'the right in Fig. 4. When the switch S3 is closed and alternating currents are supplied to the rotor and stator, there may be a momentary torque applied to the rotor, if its poles are out of ali nment with those of the stator, but as-soon as the poles are brought to alignment the torque falls to zero and rotation ceases unless the rotor and stator fields rotate at different speeds. In other words, if the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the stator current supplied to the rotor, no torque is produced and the rotor stands still. This will be clear from the fact that the fields are rotating is the-same as the frequency of the alternating in the same direction. If it be assumedn'ow that the stator field rotates faster than the rotor field, a torque will be produced which will cause the rotor to rotate in a clockwise direction, or in the same direction as that in which the fields are rotating. The rotor speed is proportional to the difference in the speeds of the two fields. For

example, if the stator field gains on therotor field at the rate of one rotation per minute, the

speed of the rotor will be 1 R. P. M. If it.be'

- 14 standard frequency generator may also be used. When the operator closes the switch 83, the standard frequency alternating current and the alternating current generated by the watch being tested are supplied to the electrical difl'erential 200, and the differential operates as previously described. The switch S3 is also closed at this time, preparing a circuit for motor M over'the alternating current supply conductors 283 and L Switch S9 also closes a circuit over which the condenser 231 and the battery Bl are connected in series with'the motor Mil. This is a braking circuit the function of which will be described shortly.

The operator may now actuate the key K to start the timing operation. At contact spring 236 of the key the braking circuit above referred to is opened. At contact spring 235 a circuit for the restoring magnet MI is closed, said circuit extending from ground by way of contact springs 226 and 221, contact 235 of the key, and winding of magnet 22l to the grounded battery B2. Upon energizing,'magnet 22| attracts its armature 220 and actuates the lever 2 I 9, restoring the indicator 2l6 to zero position, if it is in some other position. The drawing, however, shows the indicator at normal.. Finally, at contact spring 234 the key closes a circuit for motor Mil, which extends from thealternating current supply conductor 250 by way of a contact of switch S9, conductor -252, contact 234, motor Mll, and another contact of switch-S9 to the alternating current supply conductor 25l. Upon the closure of this circuit the motor M starts to run and begins to rotate ing contact spring 232 away from contactspring rotor of the diflerentialis driven ata speed which depends on the difference between the speeds of the rotor and stator fields and in a direction which-depends on which speedis the higher.

Assuming clockwise rotation of the fields as the 2:1, and places a shunt around contact .23lof the key by bringing said spring 232'lnto engagement with contact spring 233. This latter operation closes the motor circuit independent of the key K, which may now be restored, I Cam 228 is also rotated by motor M4] and opens the circuit of the restoring magnet 22I by sepa-V I rating contact springs 226 and 221, shortly'afterward closing the circuit of the clutch control magnet 222 by bringing contact spring 226 into engagement-with contact spring 225. Upon energizing, magnet 222 attracts its armature 224 and thus operates the clutch 223, whereby the shaft 205 of the electrical difierential 200 is coupled to v the indicator shaft 2l5.

restoring cam 2 I I, which is actuated by means of a bell crank lever 2". .The lever carries the armature 220 of the restoring magnet 22l.

The differential shaft 235 may be connectedto the indicator shaft 2|! by means of a. clutch 223, the engagement and release of which are controlled by the magnet 222.

The reference character-M indicates a small motor which may be of any suitable alternating current ty e. This motor drives a cam shaft an by means of a set of reductionge'ars enclosed in;

v The operation now depends on the rate of the watch being tested. If the rate is correct, no roindicator shaft 2| 5 will rotate with it, moving the pointer 2I6 tothe' right over the scale 2". If the watch is slow, the differential shaft will rotate in the housing 240. The gear ratio may be such that shaft 233makes-one rotation perminute.

The circuits of magnets-HI and-222 and themotor circuit are controlled cams 228 and 223.

The operation of the timing equipment shown be tested is clamped yto-the microphone and causes alternating current having a frequency of approximately cycles'per second to be 'gen-.

in Fig. 4 will now'be' explained. ..The watch erated, the same as described in connectionwith the two previous modifications. An 80-cycle by akey K'and two jacounter-clockwise' direction-moving the pointer Zilto'theleft fj I e I "At theend of one minute the cams 228 and 223 f'complete one rotation: and resume the positions in whichthey are shown in the drawing. Cam 223 opens thecircuit of'ma'gnet 222 at contact springs 225 and 226 and prepares a circuit for the 1,

restoringfrnagnet 22! at'contact springs 226 and .221. Upon the deenergization of magnet 222, the clutch 223 is released and shaft 205is disconnected from shaft 2l5. Cam 223 opens the circuit of motor M at contact springs 232 and 233, and

at contact spfln8s'23l and 232 closes the braking circuit for the motor, the latter circuit being 15'. M traceable from the left hand pole of battery'Bl bywayof condenser 12", contact III of key K, contact springs 23! and I32, winding of motor MlLandumercontactofIwitchBltotheflsht handpoleofbatteryBl. Upontheclosureofthe brakingcircuittheoondmlerllLwhichhasdischarged through resistance 8, charges again and aheavycurreutiiowisestablishedwhichbringsthemotorllll toastop. Theshouidbeotnlfllcientcapacityto stop the motor without appreciable over-run. Aftertlmhasbeenchargedsome currentwillcmnnuetoilowtbmlmhresistanoefll, buttheresistanceishigheuoughtopreventexcessivedrainonthebatteryorofthe motor, 'Iheln'akingcireuitisopenedatswitch Slwhenoperationsareued.

ltwilibenotedthatthetimingoperationis stopped automatically at the expiration of one minute. The indicator pointer 2| isleft standing in the position reached at the moment the timingoperationisterminatedandits position therefore indicate: whether therateofthe watch iscorrectornot,andifnot,howmuchitisfast orslow,thescaie2i1 beingpreferablycalibrated inperday. Asshownhereimthescale isonlylaodinlengtmorflflfor eachdirectionofmotionofthepdntcrlli. However, it will be clear that the scale may encompassafuiicircleifdesired. Moreove apair of speed reducing gears may he introduced at somepointbetweenthediiferentiaiandtheindicatorinordertoreducetbetmvelofthepointer foragivenextentofrotatlmofthedlfierential andtherebyhringindicationsofgreatererrors inratewlthinthescopeofthescale.

thattheraieofthewatchislncorrect, the operator wilimahe the w: adjustment, return the watch to the microphone, andthenre-openiethekeykmomentarilyto rmtore the indicator and start another timing operatkm. 'lhesecmdtlmlngoperatimiscarriedoutasdeocribedinthecaseolfthellrstand mayberepeatedifnecemlry. Whmtheoperationsarecoueludedtheswltdicsslandsimayheopeniedl Itwilibeunderstoodtlnttheelectricaldiiferentialshowninl'ig.4maybeuaedinplaceofthe mechanbaldiiferentlalswhichareshowninllgs. 1and3,andthatamechauicaldii!erentialcan beusedinPlg.4,ifdeslred.

The inventkn having been described, that whlchisbelievedtobenewlndforwhichthe protecflon of letters Patenth desired will be pointedmitintheappendcdelaims.

16 means operated by rotation of said member for moving said stylus in a direction across the direction of motion of said material, whereby a graphic record is made of the difference between said frequencies.

3. In a timing apparatus for comparing the frequencies of two alternating currents, a rotatable member, means including a differential drive mechanism responsive to said currents for rotating said member at a speed proportionate to the diiference between said frequencies, record material, means for moving said material at a constant speed and for a predetermined time interval, a stylus for marking said material while the same is moving, and means operated by rotation of said member for moving said stylus in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of said material, whereby a line is drawn on said material by said stylus which indicates the accumulated frequency diflerence throughout said time interval.

4. In a graphic timing apparatus, record material and means for moving it, a stylus for marking said material responsive to motion thereof, means controlled by a device being timed for moving said stylus at a speed dependent on the error in the rate of said device, means for starting the motion of said material and said stylus, and means responsive to a predetermined extent of motion of said material or of said stylus, whichever occurs first, for automatically stopping the motion of both.

5. In a watch timer, a sheet of record material, means for moving said sheet at predetermined speed, a stylus for marking said sheet, means responsive to the beating of a watch being tested for generating periodic currents, means comprising a differential mechanism for comparing the frequency of said currents with a standard frequency, and means controlled by said comparing means for uninterruptedly moving said stylus in a direction transverse to the direction of motion of said sheet and at a speed which depends on the difference between said frequencies.

6. In a graphic timing apparatus. record material, means for moving said material at a slow speed, a stylus for marking said material responsive to motion thereof, a member rotated at a speed dependent on the error in the rate of a device being timed, auxiliary timing means for causing said member to move said stylus at uniformly spaced intervals, and means for automatically restoring said stylus between adjacent intervals.

7. In a graphic timing apparatus, a rotatable member, a differential mechanism controlled jointly by the device being timed and a standard device to rotate said member at a speed dependent upon the error in the rate of the device being timed, record material, a stylus for marking said material, means including a threaded shaft for moving said stylus with respect to said material, means including a clutch for coupling said member to said shaft, means including a timing device for periodically controlling said clutch to uncouple said member and shaft, means for automatically driving said threaded shaft in a reverse direction to restore said stylus each time uncoupling is eiIected, and means for moving said record material to cause successive marks made by said stylus thereon to occupy difierent positions.

8. In a graphic timing apparatus, the combi nation, with record material and means for moving it, of a marking device, means supporting said marking device for movement in either direction across the direction of movement of the record material, a differential mechanism jointly controlled by the apparatus being timed and a standard for moving said marking device at a speed depending on the error in the rate of the apparatus being timed and in a direction depending on whether said apparatus is fast or slow with respect to said standard, means operating automatically at equally spaced intervals for rendering said marking device non-responsive to said mechanism, and means effective in each such interval for restoring said marking device.

9. In a graphic timing apparatus, record material, a device for marking said material, a differential mechanism jointly controlled by the device being timed and a standard with which it is being compared for moving said marking device to draw lines on said record material in either of two directions depending on whether the rate of the device being timed is fast or slow with respect to the said standard, means for periodically restoring said marking device-to its starting position, and means for moving said record material to cause each line to occupy a different position thereon.

10. In a timing apparatus, mechanism for testing a device to be timed to compare the rate thereof with standard rate, means for automatically and repeatedly operating said mechanism to perform a succession of tests extending for equal predetermined time intervals, and means controlled by said mechanism for making graphic records of said tests showing the extent and direction of the error found on each test.

11. In a timing apparatus, mechanism for testing a device to be timed to compare the rate thereof with a standard rate, means for automatically and repeatedly operating said mechanism to perform. a succession of tests extending for equal predetermined time intervals, record material, and means controlled by said mechanism during performance of each test for drawing a line on said record material which indicates by its length the 'diiierence between the rate of said device and the standard rate and by its direction whether the rate of said device is faster or slower than the standard rate.

12. In a timing apparatus, mechanism for testing a device to be timed to compare the rate thereof with a standard rate, means for automatically and repeatedly operating said mechanism to perform a succession of tests extending for equal predetermined time intervals, record material, a marking device controlled by said mechanism during each test to draw a line on said material indicative of the extent and direction of the error found, and means for moving said record material at a slow speed such that said lines produce a shaded area thereon.

13. In a timing apparatus, record material, a device for marking said material, means for moving said device inciuding a shaft which is rotated periodically responsive to successive timing op erations, the direction of rotation depending on the result of such timing operations, and two restoring springs connected to said shaft, one or the other of which is tensioned on each rotation of the shaft to eifect restoration thereof.

14. In 'a timing apparatus, record material, a device for marking said material, means for moving said device including a rotatable shaft, restoring means for said haft comprising two helical springs connected thereto and equally tensioned in opposite directions, means responsive to a timing operation for rotating said shaft in one direction or the other depending on whether the device being timed is fast or slow, said rotation being effective to increase the tension in one spring and decrease the tension in the other spring, and means effective at the end of. a timing operation for placing the shaft under control'of said springs, whereby it is restored by the spring having the greatest tension.

15. Timing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein auxiliary restoring mechanism is provided which is operative on the shaft when the tension in said springs becomes substantially equal.

16. In a graphic timing apparatus, record material, a drum for moving said material, a motor for rotating said drum, a device for marking said record material, means including a rotatable shaft for moving said device, a diiferential mechanism controlled jointly by an apparatus being timed and a standard apparatus for rotating said shaft, means for coupling said motor to said drum and for simultaneously coupling said differential mechanism to said shaft, and means effective automatically upon the expiration of a predetermined time interval for releasing said couplings.

1'7. In a graphic timing apparatus, record material and means for moving it, means for starting the movement of said material, a marking device for drawing a line on said material responsive to movement thereof, a differential mechanism controlled by a device being timed and a standard device to move said marking device and thereby control the direction of said line, means for stopping the movement of said material and the movement of said marking device after a predetermined time interval, and means for stopping said movements in the event that the line drawn by said marking device diverges a predetermined amount before the expiration of said time interval.

18. In a timing apparatus for checking the I .rate of a watch or the like, to detect random rate variations which may occur during the period between successive windings, means for comparing the rate of a Watch with a standard rate for a predetermined short time interval to determine if the watch is fast or slow and the amount of the error, if any, means for automatically repeat-' ing the test of said watch at predetermined intervals throughout the said period, record material, a marking device, and means responsive to each test for actuating said marking device to record the result of the test on said material.

19. In a phic timing apparatus, movable record material having spaced lines thereon parallel to its direction of movement, a marking device movable at right angles to said lines, means including a differential mechanism jointly controlled by the apparatus being timed and a standard apparatus for moving said marking-device for a predetermined time and at a speed proportionate to the error in the rate of the apparatus being timed, and means for moving said record material at a predetermined speed having such a relation to the marking device speeds which result from errors within a selected range that the corresponding lines drawn by the marking device will make readily readable angles with said spaced lines on the record material.

20. Graphic timing apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the speeds are so related that in timing an apparatus having an error falling in 19 or near the center oi. the selected range the line drawn by the marking device will make an angle of forty-five degrees with any of the spaced lines on the record material which it intersects.

21. A timing apparatus for comparing the frequencies Of two alternating currents, comprising record material, means for moving said material for a predetermined time interval, a, marking device adapted to draw a line on said record material responsive to movement thereof, a differential mechanism responsive to said currents, and means including gears or the equivalent for causing said mechanism to move said marking device and thereby cause the line drawn thereby to make an angle with the longitudinal axis of said record material which is proportionate to the difference between said frequencies, the gear ratio being so related to a selected maximum frequency diflference that the line drawn by the marking device will be confined to a predetermined area of said record material throughout said predetermined time interval.

22. In a timing apparatus for comparing an unknown frequency with a standard frequency, record material and means for moving it at a predetermined speed, a marking device for making a record line on said material responsive to movement thereof, means including a differential mechanism for moving said device at a speed proportionate to the difference between said frequencies and thereby control the direction of said record line, a. plurality of transverse lines on said material adapted to be intersected by said record line and having a uniform spacing bearing a predetermined relation to the speed of the material, and a plurality of longitudinal lines on said material also adapted to be intersected by said record line and having a uniform spacing bearing a predetermined relation to a marking device speed which results from a particular selected diiference in frequencies.

23. A timing apparatus as claimed in claim 22, adapted for timing watches or the like, wherein means is provided for moving the record material and marking device for a predetermined time interval. to time a watch, and wherein the various speeds and line spacings are so related that the number of transverse and longitudinal lines crossed by the record line during said time interval may be used to calculate the error of the watch in seconds per day.

THOMAS B. GIBBS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,035,759 Poole Mar. 31, 1936 2,235,317 Gibbs Mar. 18, 1941 2,038,059 Reichel Apr. 21, 1936 2,113,825 Caldwall Apr. 12, 1938 2,188,059 Norrman Jan, 23, 1940 775,535 Meissner Nov. 22, 1904 1,566,879 Karapetoif Dec. 22, 1925 1,641,693 Price et al. Sept. 6, 1927 1,827,187 Brown et al. Oct. 13, 1931 1,769,988 Davis July 8, 1930 1,967,072 Young July 17, 1934 1,544,989 James July 7, 1925 2,036,444 Tolson Apr. 7, 1936 1,500,860 Yo July 8, 1924 1,881,011 Wittkuhns Oct. 4, 1932 1,111,345 Wood Sept. 22, 1914 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 326,436 Germany Sept. 29, 1920 450,864 England July 24, 1936 

